Paramedic allegedly kicked in the face on Coast

THERE has been a renewed call for emergency workers to get better protection following an assault on a Coast paramedic.

The 51-year-old female Queensland Ambulance paramedic was left bloodied and bruised in an alleged assault outside a Buderim home early yesterday.

She allegedly was kicked in the face and assaulted while caring for a patient.

The ambulance had been called to an Iliad Ave address at 4am to treat an 18-year-old for a sprained wrist. While treating the female patient, the paramedic was allegedly kicked in the face and verbally abused.

Police were called to the home and the patient, who was allegedly heavily intoxicated, was arrested.

The union representing Sunshine Coast ambulance officers said the assault reiterated the importance for tougher laws and stiffer penalties against people who assaulted emergency service workers.

"Paramedics are here to help," a United Voice spokesman said. "We're here to help people in distress, but we do not want to be the recipients of violent attacks."

The call followed Police Minister Jack Dempsey's announcement earlier this month that under new laws, those who assaulted police could be jailed automatically.

Assaults on police officers on the Coast were the highest in the North Coast Region last financial year, when 96 officers were physically hurt while on the job.

There were 26 serious attacks - eight more than in the previous financial year and six more than in the 2009-10 financial year.

Mr Dempsey said he would consider extending the laws to include all emergency service personnel.

Police charged the 18-year-old female with one count of serious assault.